Day 35
Xavi’s men would ensure it in case of victory, while Pellegrini’s men would almost say goodbye if they lose
Champions week for Real Madrid, Villarreal… and also for Betis and Barcelona. Both teams meet this Saturday in a crucial match to be in the top continental competition. It is for the Verdiblancos, who want to achieve a victory that allows them to get back into the fight to reach fourth place and it is also for Xavi Hernández’s team, who have in their hands to achieve three points that ensure once and for all the main objective with which the one from Tarrasa was signed and also closer to second place in the fight that the Catalans maintain with Sevilla.
«It is a golden opportunity, once again, to certify the objective of the Champions League. It would take a weight off me. It is a direct rival, they beat us at the Camp Nou and we have the option of football revenge. We are ready », said Xavi this Friday at the press conference prior to his team’s match against Betis at the Benito Villamarín. The Catalan coach knows the importance of securing a goal as soon as possible that has become essential for the viability of the club. The maximum continental competition is “a minimum” for the Egarense and for a team that cannot afford any more setbacks.
To get the ticket to the Champions League this weekend, Barcelona will have to beat a Betis that currently marks the border with the Europa League positions. The Catalans lead Manuel Pellegrini’s men by eight points with four matchdays to go, a distance that could be extended to eleven with nine points at stake in the event of a Barça victory. That is the goal of a team that will arrive at Benito Villamarín with doubts due to the image shown in recent games, but knowing that things are going well at home. Barça has prevailed in the last five outings against Valencia, Elche, Real Madrid, Levante and Real Sociedad. A baggage that invites the Catalans to be optimistic in the face of this new final against a direct rival.
Xavi will have to overcome, once again, the loss of important players. Gerard Piqué will not be here, after suffering against Mallorca from the muscle discomfort he has suffered for several weeks in the adductor of his left leg and joins the absences due to injury of Sergiño Dest, Nico, Pedri and Sergi Roberto. Ter Stegen, who missed the last session due to indisposition, is in doubt. The good news for the player from Egar is the return of a shot from Óscar Mingueza and Martin Braithwaite after overcoming the coronavirus. The losses will condition an eleven in which there will not be too many rotations. Dani Alves and Jordi Alba will once again be on the wings, Busquets, De Jong and Gavi will take control of the midfield and Dembélé, Aubameyang, Ferran Torres and Memphis will share the three attacking positions up front.
A euphoric rival who plays it
It will not be an easy game for Barcelona. Xavi’s men will face a team that has shown throughout the year that it is ready for the big events. And this is it. Betis will set foot in Villamarín with the still recent euphoria of winning the Copa del Rey and with the urgent need to win to keep the dream of the Champions League alive. It’s a real final for Pellegrini’s men, one of the last, and a team that won’t give up a ball knows that.
Pellegrini will not be able to count, yes, on one of the capital footballers in the champion Betis. Héctor Bellerín, the assistant in the Copa del Rey final, will not be after suffering a feverish process that prevented him from training with the rest of his teammates this Friday and entering the squad list. His absence joins those of Víctor Camarasa and Martín Montoya. The good news for the Engineer is the return of Marc Bartra and William Carvalho, two players who could not be against Getafe due to injury and who return for the final stretch of the season.
Likely lineups
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Betty:
Claudio Bravo, Sabaly, Pezzella, Víctor Ruiz, Álex Moreno, Guido Rodríguez, Guardado, Canales, Fekir, Juanmi and Borja Iglesias. -
Barcelona:
Ter Stegen or Neto, Alves, Araujo, Eric García, Jordi Alba, Busquets, F. de Jong, Gavi, Dembélé, Aubameyang and Ferran Torres. -
Referee:
Mateu Lahoz (Valencian Committee). -
Time:
9:00 p.m. -
Stadium:
Benito Villamarin. -
TV:
Movistar LaLiga.
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